Mar. 15. Shakespeare receives four and a half yards of
red cloth for King James' coronation.
July. Shakespeare sues Philip Rogers for debt of 3s. 10d.

A tax is levied on tobacco to restrain its use.
25 volumes of Lope da Vega's plays are published.
James I's pamphlet Counterblast to Tobacco is
published.

1605

May 4. Augustine Phillips bequeaths 30s. in gold to
Shakespeare.
July 24. Shakespeare pays £440 for a one-quarter
interest in the lease of Stratford tithes.
Shakespeare's name appears on the title-page of the play
The London Prodigal.

The Gunpowder Plot.Bacon'sThe Advancement
of Learning is published.Guy
Fawkes is arrested.
A proclamation orders the banishment of all Catholic
priests.
Cervantes' Don Quixote is published.

1606

June 5. Susanna Shakespeare is
named as a recusant for failing to receive communion on
Easter Sunday.

Luis Vaez de Torres sights the north coast of
Australia.
Oath of Allegiance imposed.
Ben Jonson writes Volpone.Guy
Fawkes is sentenced to death.
May 27. An Act is passed implosing a fine of £10 for
the "abuse of the holy name of God in stage plays."John
Lyly dies.
Rembrandt, Corneille, and William Davenant are
born.